Directory of Professional Resume Writers: How to Find and Work with a Pro to Accelerate Your Search

1.Your book lists professional resume writers. What credentials do professional resume writers have?

There are at least five professional organizations for resume writers that award certifications to members who can prove their expertise in the craft of resume writing. In some cases, the associations offer graduated levels of certification, from basic to advanced or master level.

In addition, many resume writers have earned additional certifications that recognize expertise as a career coach, interview coach, job search trainer, career counselor, or other area of career-related knowledge.

Certifications are a good indication that the resume writer is serious about his or her profession and has invested the time, effort, and money to earn a recognized credential.

2. When would you suggest that a job seeker should consider using a resume writer and when would you suggest that the person write the resume himself?

Writing a resume can certainly be a valuable experience, and it's a good skill to master for lifelong career management. But perhaps you're not a good writer, or you can't get a clear picture of your greatest strengths and how to showcase these to potential employers. Maybe you're just too darn busy, doing your job and managing a family or other responsibilities. There?s certainly no shame in hiring a writer for this important project, and most people who do are extremely glad they made the investment. They find it gives them greater confidence in their job search and clarity about the messages they should be giving to potential employers.

In most cases, employers first learn about potential candidates by looking at their resumes. Sometimes they?ll first look at a job application or have an initial telephone conversation before looking at the resume. But in any case, the resume needs to make a strong and clear case for the candidate?s value to the employer.

6. How much time should a person be willing to invest in creating a good resume?

It will take at least several hours to write your own resume, and maybe that long (or longer) to work with a professional resume writer! The process requires in-depth evaluation of your career ? your current objectives, past experiences, key accomplishments, and more. Your resume writer will guide you through the process and help you uncover the most relevant and valuable information.

Of course, once you've created a great resume, you can build off that foundation to create future updates much more quickly and easily.

7. What is most often overlooked in writing a resume?

Probably the greatest mistake most people make is writing 'job descriptions' instead of accomplishment-rich career summaries. Employers know what someone with your job title does from day to day; what they want to know is what you did well ? what added value to your company, your customers, or your co-workers? How did you make a difference?

8. How did you find all of the resume writers listed?

I contacted all of the members of the five major professional associations of resume writers and asked them to complete a survey to be included in the directory. Although there are thousands more writers who do not belong to these associations, it's my belief that those who invest in a professional membership are most likely the most up-to-date and serious about their profession. So I elected to limit the directory invitation to members of these organizations. Then, those who were interested in being included in the book had to complete a survey so that I could gather their data.

9. Your book sounds like one that all libraries should carry. Do you agree?

Of course! The book was designed to be a valuable tool for job seekers around the English-speaking world. It can help countless job seekers find the writer whose talents, services, style, and area of expertise are compatible with their needs.

10. Give us an example of a small detail in a resume that would influence the reader of it.